USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 23
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The history of the Methodist Episcopal church in Tippecanoe county, outside of Lafayette is parallel with that of the city. The beginnings were simple and humble. In the settlements of the earliest pioneers, almost with their coming was the minister, and but few were there long before the Metho- dist preacher came. The preaching was held in the cabins or in the groves. As soon as school houses were built, they were also used for religious services. The early settlers of Tippecanoe county were people of intelligence, religious convictions, eager for the best advantages and gave the school and the church a hearty welcome.
In every township in the county, the Methodists have had services and built churches. With the development of the county, the building of gravel roads, the coming of railroads, the growing of the towns, there came an adjustment, and several churches were abandoned for convenience of travel and larger centers of population.
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For convenience in grouping, and to give location more definite, it will be best to follow the township lines, and state the churches organized and built in each township. Perhaps the first church built was in Randolph town- ship. In 1835. in the present town of Kommey, was built a church that has been a place for regular service since. The church was rebuilt in 1875 and now stands as a place for the worship of a strong community. The families of the Simpsons. Pykes, Oglesbys, Houses, Inskips, Skinners, and others, have constituted the membership and support of this church. This was the only Methodist church built in Randolph township, but there were several nearby in the townships adjoining.
In Jackson township, religious services were held as early as 1828 by the Methodists. The preaching was in private houses. In 1832 the Shawnee community built a school house called Shawnee Mound Academy, in which for many years was heldl regular preaching service and an organized Metho- dist class in this place grew to great strength and popularity. In 1855. the Shawnee Mound church was built, which has been one of the strongest country churches in the county. Around the Shawnee church lived the Meharry family. Seven of the Meharry boys grew to be men and owned farms within a few miles of this church. Six of them brought up their families here and all of them were members of this church. Other families, the Kerrs. Wheel- ers. Odells. Wallaces, Achesons, Blacks, all became a part of this community and the church was a religious as well as a social center.
In the south part of Jackson township, in the Sugar Grove neighborhood. was a strong Methodist organization. For many years they worshiped in private homes and in the schoolhouse. In 1852 a church was built which answered their needs for the time. In 1875 a splendid church was built, of brick with a slate roof. that has stood since as the center of a religious life and influence. In this community, the McMillans, Hietts, Insleys, Gains. Baileys, Millers, Sayers, Montgomerys, and Wilsons, have given support to all religious and educational movements.
In the north part of Jackson township, the Odell church was built. It stood on the farm of G. W. Odell, which was formerly the home of Major Odell, and near the village of Odell. It has had the support of the Odells. Davises, Byers, Wallaces, Berryhills, and other families. It is still serving its holy purpose.
In the east part of the township was built a church known by the name of Prairie Chapel. For a time it served the community. But with the build- ing of gravel roads, the families. Malsburys. Kirkpatricks and others, coukl easily get to other churches, and this church was abandoned.
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In Wayne township there was built one Methodist church in 1837. This was the first church built in the township, and with repairs. it continued to serve as a place for religious worship until, in 1907, a new and modern church was dedicated which is now the only church of any denomination in the township. But with a broad spirit, it is supported for all religious services, and is an indispensable part of the township life. The Achesons, Turners, Mustards, Martins, Campbells, Welches, Searsmas and Elys, with many others constitute the families that have in the past contributed to the mein- bership of this society.
In Union township, three Methodist churches have been built. The older was the Wea Plains church, in the western part of the township and in the heart of the beautiful and fertile Wea Plains. For many years this church served its holy mission. The Murdocks, Smiths, Lutzes and other families made this an important center. By the development of the country, the retir- ing of landholders to the city, other churches built nearby, this church was sold to another denomination, the Holland Reformed church.
The Mintonye church, standing in the southeast part of the township, was one of the early churches built and still stands, pointing the way to the kingdom eternal. The Shelbys, Raubs, Martins, and other old families here centered.
The Shadeland church, built to meet a new center, was erected in 1871. It stands at the entrance of the great Wea Plains, and is a conspicuous land mark. With its cottage parsonage, it is placed to serve a large community. Here the Lutzes, Foresmans, Gays, Beebees, Sherrys, Bennetts, Blackstocks, Deardorfs. Andersons and other families have met for worship and still meet. It is a place that has moulded character for highest ideals.
In Wea township, there has been but one Methodist church. While the Methodist preacher was in this township in the early days of its pioneer life, and there was preaching in schoolhouses in different parts of the township for many years, yet it has been for other denominations to possess this field. The Methodist church of the township was known as Sickler's Chapel, and stood in the northwest part of the township. It served its purpose, and was then abandoned and only the cemetery that stands nearby marks the spot where stood the church.
Lauramie township, the southeast of the county, has been a place where the Methodist churches have had strong centers. After several years of preaching in private houses, George's Chapel was built in 1840. This was a strong Methodist center for many years. But the building of the railroad, the springing up of Stockwell, which was just two miles east from George's
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Chapel led to the abandonment of the church about 1855. Chizum's chapel. in the southeast part of the township, was built about 1850 and for a number of years was a center for the Methodist people and all others, but as the developments came, it was sufficient to have the churches at Romney and Stockwell, and about the year 1900 it was abandoned. The church at Clark's Hill was organized about the year 1840. Like other churches in the days of the county's early history, it had a humble beginning. But it has existed, grown, built new its church, and a parsonage has been added that gives a strong influence for the religious life of the community.
In addition to these three churches begun in the early days, should be named the class organized at Yorktown, two miles south of Stockwell, where the services were held in the school house. There was never a church built for the Methodists, but a parsonage and a resident minister was there for years. At the present time, there is a Swedish Methodist Episcopal church there, but it was built for the Swedes, and has been exclusively theirs.
The building of the Big Four railroad was the development of the village of Stockwell. The first Methodist enterprise for this town was the Stockwell Academy. There was a Methodist class organized in Stockwell about 1855. Its services were held in the school house. The academy was built in 1860, and the Methodist meetings were held in the chapel of the academy until in 1864, when the splendid church was built. This church stands in the center that has absorbed George's Chapel and Chizum Chapel and the class at Yorktown, and also the class from Salem in the township of Sheffield. Stockwell is a community of strong families. The Elliotts, Bartholomews, Bakers, Caldwells, Granthams, Storms, Coopers, Lairds, O'Neals. Allens, Skinners. Howards, McDoels, and Johnsons represent the personnel of the Methodist people centering in this village.
The Methodist church was early in the township of Sheffiekl. As early as 1830 the Methodist people were gathered together and organized into a class in Dayton. Until 1843 they worshipped in a school house when, at that time, they built a church. In this they worshipped until 1866, when they built a better church, which stands, with the modern improvements and changes, as a splendid house of worship. The improvement of the building was made in 1908, and it is now a beautiful and inviting church.
The only other church the Methodists ever built in Sheffield township was the Salem church, near the southwest corner of the township and near the village of Stockwell. For many years this okl church has served its purpose for the living and the dead. It is now only used for the preaching of funerals where the burial is to be in the cemetery nearby. This church
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was built in 1840, and for nearly seventy years has been serving its missions, while the generations come and go.
In the township of Perry, the Methodists never had much of a mem- bership. Only one church was built for this denomination and that was near the town of Monitor. It was built previous to the year 1840, and was called Wesley Chapel. Around it centered the families of Gaddises, Paynes and Smiths. It was a part of the Dayton circuit, but the moving of families and the surrounding of other churches eliminated it from active life and existence. Not a mark of its location remains.
In Washington township the Methodists were early related to the strug- gling pioneer life. Along the Wabash were preaching places, in the homes of the settlers and in the school houses. Near the town of Americus was a Methodist society. Other denominations were there also and no Methodist church, for strictly denominational life, was ever built. In a union church the services were held. Near the river, at a place called Jewetsport, now almost obliterated, the Methodist and other denominations had a Union church where they held services. It was in this church where Isaac W. Joyce, afterward Bishop Joyce, was converted and also here where he probably preached his first sermon. But in the development of settlements the Methodist built a church at Transitville, now changed to Buck Creek. For many years this church stood as a mark of the devotion of the people for religious instruction and life. In 1909 a new and modern church was here built to take the place of the old one, and a new life is manifest with the modern church and all the modern civilization.
The only other church built by the Methodists in Washington township was in the town of Colborn. This was in the northeastern part of the town- ship and county. For many years it was weak in numbers and was finally dropped and the building sold and the proceeds used in the building of the church in Buck Creek.
In the township of Tippecanoe have been built four Methodist churches. Perhaps the first was in the northwest part of the township and called Salem, but now its successor is called Cairo. Old Salem was built in 1836 and used until 1851. The location of the present church of Cairo is west one-fourth of a mile of Salem, and stands a beautiful country church surrounded by a strong community of people, religious and aggressive in the work of the church as well as in all that pertains to their secular interests.
There was a church built west of Battle Ground, two miles, called the Geneseo Methodist church. In connection with it was a parsonage. This church was built about 1846. For many years it stood a haven for rest and
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worship, but, in the better adjustment of conditions, it was abandoned and the church at Battle Ground absorbed the membership in a large part.
The Pretty Prairie church was built in 1858, and stands yet with vigor, after its golden jubilee, with a church improved. beautified and inviting. In this church entered the religious energies of the old families of Beckers, Barnes, Maxons and Gays. This was a strong community and has not suc- cumbed to the devastations of time.
In 1860, or about that time, the Methodist people of the village of Battle Ground were organized and a church was built. A new church has been erected to take the place of the okl one, and a strong society is promoting the interests of the church in every department.
In Wabash township there have been four churches built by the Metho- dists outside of West Lafayette. The one that was first built was the Mt. Pleasant church, three miles southwest of West Lafayette. This church stands as a place for Sunday school and preaching service and for the funerals of those to be buried in the cemetery adjoining.
The Mt. Zion church is successor to a church built, and though it has a new location it has also a new life. It is a part of the circuit of which Montmorenci is the head. It is in a splendid community and has the promise of long life.
The Methodist church at Burton, and called by that name, was built about 1896, after preaching had been held in the school house or in a public hall for several years. But there have been changes, and the nearness of Mt. Zion and Montmorenci made it seem well to close the house for the present. In the northwest part of the township a church called Fair Haven was built, about 1874. It was used until in 1907, when it was dropped and the membership transferred to the Mt. Zion church and the Montmorenci church.
In the south part of the township, for years there was preaching at the Colfax school house, or at No. 10. There were no substantial developments and these places were abandoned.
In Shelby township the Methodists have had an early and continuous career. The itinerant preachers were in the community soon after settling of the wilderness. Meetings were held in the cabins and in the groves. Classes were organized and religious life and teaching was a part of the development. As early as 1820 meetings were held within the township. The first church built was Wesley chapel, three miles west of Montmorenci, in the year 1841. For many years this church was the center of a strong community. The Van Nattas, Sappingtons, Daughertys, Switzers, Shagleys,
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Westfalls. Fosters and others made it a conspicuous meeting place. In 1843. a church in the south part of the township was built, called Asbury. Near it were the families of Parrish. Nagle, Holloway, Moore and others. Both of these churches served well their day and generation and as centers changed, they were abandoned for more central locations. North of Montmorenci, three-fourths of a mile, a church was built called Little Pine, in 1845. It stood on the farm of Samuel Shigley. For more than twenty-five years it served the community for worship. In 1872. a church was built in Mont- morenci by the Methodists, absorbing the church north of the village and has since been a strong influence for good.
Another influence of the Methodist Episcopal church in Tippecanoe county has been through the Battle Ground camp-meeting. For thirty-four years this camp meeting has been conducted annually. The greatest preachers of the church have been secured and great audiences have been thrilled by the eloquent presentation of the great themes of the Word of God. Bishop Simpson of national fame is yet remembered by the thousands who heard him, almost a third of a century ago. Other bishops. editors, secretaries, prominent laymen, ministers eminent in their profession, have stood on the platform of the camp-meeting tabernacle, and proclaimed the truths of the everlasting Gospel, that have been translated into holy living and consecrated service. In thirty-four years, more than two hundred thousand people have found their way to this greatest religious gathering of the county, and have received from it help for the life that now is and for the life that is to come.
In this brief review and sketches of the Methodist churches of Tippeca- noe county by townships, only a part of the history has been written. The thirty churches built, the twenty or more parsonages, the men who lived in them, the meetings held. the moral influences awakened and promoted. the books and literature and magazines and church papers subscribed-the good of these influences can never be told. Then, in all parts of the county, when the people wanted a place to congregate, and were hungry for the better or best things, the great old-fashioned camp meetings that were more effective in awakening and results than the best planned modern evangelistic meeting was promoted and religious good everywhere resulted.
The total cost of the Methodist churches in Tippecanoe county and maintaining then, with the support of the ministers and the benevolences. has amounted to not less than two million dollars.
A history of Tippecanoe county could not be correctly written that did not count the force of the more than thirty churches. the twenty parsonages, the camp meetings, the preaching in the cabin homes, the revivals held in
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school houses, and the creation of ideals and habits of morals that has been no small part of the life of the people.
Then should I attempt to name the men who have traveled all over the county for more than eighty years, I would call the roll of as noble and unselfish class of men as exer existed. I hardly dare to begin to name. But I must present the names of some and risk the omission of more worthy ones lest I do not make good the assertion that noble men have been con- nected with this church in its great work. When we call the names of Armstrong, Vredenburg, Strange, Woods, Smiths, Brakeman, Bartlett, Hull, McMullen. Joyce, Graham. Boyd, Stallard, Hargrave, Brooke, Beckner. Godfrey, Cissel. Buckles. Bower, Cooper. Buchtel. Marine, Gobin, Craft. . Wilcox, Cole, we could call the names of a hundred men, every one a faithful minister in holy things.
The history of Methodism in Tippecanoe county is an honorable one and will have a place as one of the large forces for the highest good.
WEST SIDE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
(By T. J. Bassett.)
The beginning of Methodism in what is now West Lafayette was in the year 1847. A meeting was conducted by a local exhorter, Jonathan Hoffman, in the wood-working department of a shop owned by Captain John B. Castor. The present church building stands upon the site of that shop. The pulpit of the church of today is upon the very spot where Jonathan Hoffman preached that first sermon.
The first Methodist society was organized in 1869. The little society at once set out to built a church, and a good frame building was erected and dedicated January 23. 1870. William Graham, William Hawkins, Benoni Swearingen, Nelson Littleton and John Opp were the trustees chosen to erect and care for the church building. In that building the society worshiped for exactly twenty-eight years, the present church building being dedicated January 23. 1898. The first pastor was Rev. William Davisson, for many years since that time a missionary to Japan. The church was dedicated by Rev. Granville C. Moody, of Ohio. During the past forty years the church has had a steady and substantial growth, which has fully kept pace with the growth of the town and of Purdue University, which is located in West Lafayette.
The following pastors have served the church since its organization, being appointed by the authorities of the conference in the years respectively
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indicated. In 1870 Rev. Wm. C. Davisson: 1871, Rev. John M. Stafford; 1873. Rev. Wm. H. Hickman: 1875. Rev. Samuel Godfrey; 1876, Rev. C. E. Lambert : 1877. Rev. Henry M. Middleton; 1878. Rev. John E. Steele; 1879. Rev. Alfred Kummer : 1882, Rev. W. B. Slutz: 1884, Rev. William Graham; 1885. Rev. R. S. Martin: 1886, Rev. Il. H. Dunlavy: 1887. Rev. -: 1888. Rev. Ernest V. Claypool; 1800, Rev. James G. Camp- bell: 1892. Rev. Tiffin F. Drake: 1805. Rev. George W. Switzer: 1901, Rev. Henry L. Kindig: 1903, Rev. Clarence D. Royce; 1904. Rev. Henry G. Amhyrst : 1907, Rev. Ililary A. Gobin : 1907, Rev. Thomas J. Bassett.
During the year 1891. under the pastorate of Rev. J. G. Campbell, the first steps were taken for building a new church. In that year the lots were purchased and payments on them begun. Among the last works of Rev. T. F. Drake before leaving the charge in 1895 was to complete payments on the lots and secure a clear title thereto. The present excellent church building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. George W. Switzer. The building committee consisted of Daniel White, Wallace Marshall and George W. King. Mr. King was compelled by ill health to resign the position and J. C. Lefevre was appointed in his stead. On November 13, 1896, the contract for the erection of the new church was awarded to James Strate, an honored member of the church. The building was erected at a cost of twenty-six thousand dollars. The plan is an admirable one. The seating capacity of the auditorium is six hundred and of the Sunday school room seven hundred. When thrown together the two rooms with their galleries will seat an audience of fourteen hundred. Among the most liberal contributors to the new church may be mentioned, the late J. G. Travis and wife, out of whose gift was pur- chased the fine bell weighing nearly a ton, which is in the bell tower, and Mr. David Shelby and wife, who donated the Kimball pipe organ.
The greatest credit for the excellent building, however, is due to Dr. George W. Switzer, the pastor, through whose untiring energy and great faith the work was completed. The last payments for the church were made during the pastorate of Rev. H. G. Ambyrst, at which time the last notes were taken up and burned with great rejoicing on the part of God's people.
In May of 1908, under the pastorate of Rev. T. J. Bassett, the church decided to build a parsonage. Additional ground was purchased on South street adjoining the church, and a fine parsonage was erected at a cost of more than four thousand five hundred dollars, two thousand dollars of which was contributed by the ladies of the Aid Society.
This church stands, as it has done for four decades, a great bulwark against sin and crime, and a blessing to the University and the city.
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CATHOLIC CHURCH OF TIPPECANOE COUNTY.
(By Rev. John R. Dinnen.)
The city of Lafayette was laid out in 1825, and in 1840 it had at least fifteen Catholic families. At their request. Bishop de la Hailandiere directed Rev. August Martin, residing at Logansport, to visit Lafayette occasionally and, after him, visits were made also by Rev. C. Francois, as well as Rev. Simon P. Lalumiere, of Terre Haute. In those days mass was celebrated in the houses of different families.
In 1843, the Bishop of Vincennes gave Lafayette its first resident pastor. in the person of Rev. Michael J. Clark. The number of families had now increased to twenty-five, and Father Clark rented a one-story brick building on Fourth street just south of the postoffice, in which the services were regu- larly held. In 1844 a site was bought on the corner of Fifth and Brown streets, on which in the same year the St. Mary and Martha's church was erected, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, and was at the time the most im- posing and handsomest church edifice in all northern Indiana; known later as St. Joseph's Hall, and still existing under the name of Columbia Hall. A priest's house was built in the rear of the church, but was soon after destroyed by fire. The pastor. appreciating the importance of a parochial school, erected a school building on the ruins of the pastoral residence. Father Clark re- mained the energetic pastor at Lafayette for fourteen years, until 1857, when he went to Illinois and, having charge of a congregation in Bloomington, died full of years and good works.
Rev. Daniel Maloney succeeded Father Clark, but remained only a year and a half, when he was given an appointment in Indianapolis. Rev. Edmond B. Kilroy came next in 1859. and remained until 1861. In 1860. Lawrence B. Stockton donated a plot of ground. known as Seminary Hall, for a church school and parochial residence. The Sisters of Providence erected the present St. Ignatius' Academy on these grounds for twenty thousand dollars. Up to the arrival of the Sisters of Providence, the parochial school was taught by lay teachers on Fifth street, with an attendance of about fifty pupils. Father Kilroy was appointed chaplain for the United States during the Civil war. in 1861, and was succeeded as pastor at Lafayette by the Rev. George A. Hamilton, a cousin of Archbishop Spalding, and a Kentuckian by birth. The foundation of the new St. Mary's church had been laid by Father Kilroy, and after five years of indefatigable labor and at a cost of sixty thousand dollars over and above that which had been expended on the foundation, the
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